Panthers season preview

On Tuesday, September 12th the UPEI Sports Department hosted its annual press conference -at the Field House. In attendance

were the UPEI President Wade ‘MacLauchlan, Sports Department Marketing and Public Relations Director Ron Annear, Athletic Director Barb Mullaly, Island sports media, and the Panther coaching staff.

With an introduction by Ron Annear, each _ speaker addressed the audience and gave their predictions or hopes for UPEI’s teams this season.

First to speak was President

importance of the community’s involvement in UPEI’s sports pro- grams and about the sports depart- ment’s new initiative, Team UPEI.

The first coach to step up to the mike was Paul Steele, head coach of the Women’s Soccer team. Steele named Sherri Gallant and Lana Birch as captains of this year’s team and noted that the team would need to play more of an attacking style this year and work on finishing around the net, as well as improving their mental prepara- tion.

Steele also noted that every team in the AUS. (Atlantic University Sport, formally the AUAA) would be a worthy oppo- nent this season. -

Lewis Page, new head coach for the Men’s Soccer team

ment for this season for the Men’s Panther team, both on and off the field, which will include a game against alumni. This season’s team is com- posed of veteran and rookie players which Page hopes will mean lead- ‘ership from the seniors and quick learning by the new players.

ees

-MacLauchlan who reiterated the:

, followed. Page showed his excite.

Captains for the 2000 Men’s Soccer team will be Carson Gill and John Sutton both members of the 1998 Panther Champions, Page pointed out. Two new players to the team are Sean and Andrew

MASL MACDONALD PRESENTS

SPORTS.

McCurdy who scored two goals

_ each in pre-season action.

Page stated that the goal for this season will be to win the divi- sion championship. This would allow the team to host the playoffs, in which they have an impressive record.

Speaking on behalf of the Field Hockey team was Tracy McGee and Jana Parker the newly appointed co-coaches of this years squad.

The Field Hockey team had a large turn out at camp with 21 players attending. McGee and Parker noted that the team would be made up of a talented group of players this year. These include eight rookies on the:team this years and two graduating players; Nancy Vessey and Karen MacLean.

The McGee and Parker set their two goals for the season: increasing the number of wins and getting alumni involved. The latter is planned for the team’s final two games, during what is to be Alumni Weekend, where the 72-73

Championship team will be recog-

» nized.

Leading off winter sports was Jeff MacEachern, coach of the Volleyball team. He like the other winter sport coaches could only

give limited insight regarding their

respective teams because of a new AUS rule. This rule does not allow coaches to train with their teams on their sports’ playing surface until the 24th of September. MacEachern spoke of the team’s 18 players at camp, 6 new players from around the Atlantic region, and 3 returning veterans. The primary focus this season for

the volleyball team coach MacEachern said, would be defense.

The last of the new coach- es, Mike Connolly, took to the podium to give a preview of the Men’s Basketball team.

Connolly announced that Gordon McNeely (a former UNB basketball player) will be assistant coach this year. There will be five players returning to the Panthers this season and several promising players coming in, Connolly point- ed out. Two of these new players are from Ontario, and a third is from Queens, New York. Four new players from the Island’s high school program will also join the line-up.

Connolly explained that team defense would be the focal point this season and the their con- ference would be a tough one, as it produce the last Champions.

Tracy Ellsworth,- Who- is returning as head coach of the Women’s Basketball team for an eighth season, gave a preview for her team’s season. Assisting Ellsworth this season, will be Erin Rigby (now McNeely a graduate of

PSA BERBER ES BRO RT A Se ee

two ee

£.%

UPEI and wife of Men’s Basketball assistant coach Gordon McNeely).

Ellsworth noted that they now have 15 players in camp, 9 of whom are returning _ players. Ellsworth stated the team would focus on two things this season: strengthening their defense and consistency on offense.

Last to speak for the coach- ing staff was Men’s Hockey head coach Doug Curry.

Two new additions to the team this season are assistant coach Jeff Squire and new goaltender Jason Flick. Flick will have to help fill the void left by David Mitchell, the Panthers all-star goaltender who graduated last year.

Coach Curry said this year’s team is more talented than last year’s young team and that he will be looking to create offense with the defense. The Panthers will be in a tough division this year Curry noted, and will also have a difficult 28 game schedule.

Athletic Director Barb Mullaly speaks at the conference

eee ee ew ee eee eee eee ee eee ee